Prime minister in training
What, said the British businessman I've just met sipping tea on the Prince of Wales lawn at the Confederation of Indian Industry conference, are you doing here? It's a good question. The answer is that I'm here because the man who looks almost certain to be our next prime minister is here in training for the big job.
The pretence, you see, is over. Gordon Brown no longer brushes aside questions about what he'll do as Prime Minister as speculation or media tittle tattle. He answers them. What's more he no longer gives speeches purely about the economy.
This morning he has called for the creation of a new world order with international organisations reformed to deliver justice for all and security for all. His agenda is ambitious taking in the reform of the UN, the G8, the IMF, the World Bank and NATO which he insists were designed for the world of 1945 and are now in need of real change. He is challenging those countries who have attacked American unilateralism to show that multi-lateralism can work.
This, he was careful to add, built on Tony Blair's leadership "in a spirit of continuity". But can you imagine Tony Blair ending a speech by quoting Gandhi who said "Whenever you are in any doubt, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest person whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to them... then, he said, you will find your doubts melt away".
PS You might be wondering if he's bothered by the news that Tony Blair plans to . The answer is no - he appears totally relaxed about it. He's rather more bothered by the treatment of Big Brother contestant Shilpa which is in The Times of India.
I'm 
Comments
Great to see our future PM looking at the reform of the big international organisations, which he correctly stated are now antiquated and not relevant to the needs of a modern world.
Very interesting to see he's quoting Ghandi as well! I look forward to the day when he takes the leadership, I just hope that he keeps these visions strong and stays true to them when the time comes.
Sad but true,Britain has become a more divisional place,from BB to Scotland, the people are talking about separation.Blair must go now!or we will face a future of greater unrest.I really dont understand what Britain can gain by Blair lingering ABOUT.
Why does the taxpayer have to fund this pretender's global strutting?
I would have more respect for this "leader-in-training" if he had remained in the UK to face the news and questions about the rise in inflation.
That experience would be more character shaping than swaning about in India.
The chickens are coming home to roost. Smug jealous Europe is reaping the whirlwind of gratuitous America bashing it sowed over the last 5 or 6 years. Gordon Brown's call for "a new world order" is just the latest cry from the East imploring "Yankee come back." Angela Merkel just called for a new agreement with America on energy and global warming policies and she was in America just a week or two ago trying to con President Bush into becoming a de facto member of the EU. Dream on Angela. If that doesn't send a message to Turkey, I don't know what will. Why doesn't Angela Merkel talk to China and India about global warming and trade, and to Russia about energy instead? The French have run some ads on US television trying to persuade Americans tourists and their credit cards to start visiting France again and reminded them to "Don't leave home without it."
It's too little too late. European and American societies are diverging and their interests are on a collision course, possibly even headed for a trade war and competition for energy. It's a war Europe can't afford and can't win but that didn't stop it from hurling itself down that path. Europe's only value to America anymore is its dubious efforts in the war on terror. It's ambivilence to America's security concerns due to its obvious jealousy and cynicism, especially in light of the sacrifices America made on Europe's behalf in the 20th century has poisoned the atmosphere beyond repair. It will be generations before any real rapproachment between the populations is possible no matter what government treaties and leaders say or sign. Meanwhile, Europe had better brace itself for an onslaught. The weak American dollar, a looming recession in the US, sharp increases in oil prices resulting from pending wars in the middle east, and America's transition from European based trade to Asian based trade will add to Europe's other problems. America has largely written off continental Western Europe but it still has some hopes for Eastern Europe. Britain straddles the fence but when Tony Blair is gone, I'm afraid Britain will fall squarely into the camp of Old Europe. From this American's perspective, Gordon Brown's rhetoric is laughably naive.
Here's a retort to the Gandi quote; recall the face of the richest and strongest person you may have seen and ask yourself if he feels unsafe and frightened, is anyone else safe either? Then you will find the true peril you're in.
Mr Brown is seeking an international platform because his domestic platform is being pulled away from him as he's lost touch with the Scottish agenda. If Labour lose Scotland they are unlikely to ever see power returning in England. The issues that matter in Scotland are the horrendous war in Iraq and all the subsequent lies along with a desire for self-determination to make a real impact on poverty and exclusion. i love that ghandi quote perhaps Mr Brown should travel North and see whatimpact this givernment has had on the poorest face while the plc's and banks are raking in massive profits.
Nick,
You say that Brown has just started making speeches off the subject of the economy but hasn't this been the case for a while???
If Mr Brown is a Prime Minister in training, does it mean your beloved Mr Cameron is in a Nursery School being potty trained.
Has it occurred to anybody, that if Gordon Browne should succeed Tony Blair, we shall have a Prime Minister that not one Englishman voted for at the Geneneral Election in 1997?
I do not believe in the inevitability of Gordon Brown’s Premiership. Sure, he’s coming out with a more expanded vision, but the root of his character and policy creation remains to be tested in my mind. I don’t like being rolled over or taken for a fool, which is why I’m standing back and taking a circumspect view. He hasn’t convinced me, and as far as I’m concerned that’s the beginning and end of it.
Charles Clarke nearly got my sympathy vote but I’ve been burned too many times. He’s made some very good points and taken a principled position, but his character needs more developing before I’ll take him seriously again. My focus remains on John Reid. He strikes me as having the right balance of firmness, fairness, and patience. If John Reid can allow this to develop my certainty will only increase.
Gordon Brown’s cleverness and big ideas are fine but nothing that hasn’t crossed my mind before. What matters is delivery, and that requires character. I’m sure John Reid is equally open to the same good ideas that Gordon Brown is, but he strikes me as being the better character to put your money on for delivery in the long-term. It’s not the dog in the fight, it’s the fight in the dog. On this, Reid is ahead.
The thought of Gordon Brown as our next PM is truly horrible to contemplate. What's even worse is that he is showing all the signs of being as sycophantic and self-indulgent as his 'meddling in foreign affairs but ignoring home issues' predecessor...not to mention the totally transparent PR-spin doctoring efforts!
Brown on Sunday: 'I'll have nothing to do with celebrity culture'. And now he's commenting on Big Brother. Mmm.
Maybe,now he's explained to India that we're not all like Jade, Brown could spend some time explaining to Britain why inflation is running higher here than any other country in the EU.
Joe Chapman #9, has it occurred to you that if Scotland chooses to end its union with England, you could have a Prime Minister who isn't even a citizen of your country?
Apply for your foreign residency visas in the country of your choice now. Why wait and suffer the crush?
Nick, what a great interview I heard from you with Gordon this morning. I loved the way you kept stopping him in mid-waffle and got him to clarify what he meant about "new world orders" and other meaningless phrases.
It worries me that he says the neo-con adventure hasn't failed. I'm not ssure whether he actually believes this and is truly allied to their adventurism or is simply toeing the line in order to keep a deal with Mr Tony. Any thoughts?
In response to Joe Chapman's point that no English person has voted for Gordon Brown, you could easily turn this argument on its head. No Scottish or Welsh resident ever voted to elect Tony Blair (MP for Sedgfield), John Major (MP for Huntingdon) or Margaret Thatcher (MP for Finchley). In fact, the vast majority of English residents did not vote for any of the above either because they did not live in their constituency! Our system is a parliamentary democracy not a presidential one.
Mr Brown seems to want alot of things in this world. So what exactly has he been doing in Cabinet for the last 10 years and why was he unable to speak up when the leader of his party was off doing all things he now seems to oppose - although he does attempt to be diplomatic or is it kindness at the eleventh hour. We are now witnessing the greatest occurence of group amnesia as the members of the Cabinet abandon poor Tony - who needs friends! Unfortunately, for Gordon the amnesia is not a national (or should we say UK)phenomenon.
Typical Gordon Brown - never around when there's trouble (91Èȱ¬ Office, Interest rate rise, state of the Union etc). And now to cap it all he's started strutting around on the World stage, just like the current lame duck in No. 10.
We're all doomed if/when this charmless goon get's his hands on the controls.
AHHHHH GORDON BROWWWNNNN!!!!!!!!!!! :(
I heard Nick's interview with Gordon Brown. Sometimes when I listen to Europeans discuss a subject, I feel like I live on a different planet from them. Gordon Brown's solution to all problems seems to be expressed in his defense of bureaucracy. Every other word out of his mouth was "we have to strengthen organizaitons, the UN, the EU, NATO, the "special relation," not a single concrete suggestion which actually had to do with anything, not even one proposed course of action which didn't involve strengthening organizations. Ominous portents for Britain. But if the interviwee was disappointing, the interviewer was even moreso. Nick's interview consisted of trying to get GB to say Iraq was wrong and that there should be no more wars without UN consent. Didn't Pesident Bush make it clear in his State of the Union Speech a few years ago that the European Lilliputians won't be able to tie down the American Gulliver? Europe will NEVER be able to dictate to America, not as a cacaphony of individual voices, not as a chorus singing in the UN or the EU, not ever. That's not a Republican or neocon or Bush administration point of view, that's an American point of view and it is virtually unanimous. America will not relinquish its sovereignty. You may know something of British and European politics Mr. Robinson but when it comes to American politics and culture, you knowledge is sorely lacking. It is pointless to try to build a bridge from one side while you are blowing it up at the same time on the other.
Nick, is Gordon Brown concerned that "Britain has seen the sharpest deterioration in public accounts of any country in Europe over the last six years"?
Nick - Your interview with Gordon Brown on 91Èȱ¬4.Today programme filled me with disappointment and foreboding. When I heard Brown's affirmation of the Blair/Bush(USA)alliance
Brown seemed to be so confident that the majority of the British population wish us to be in such a powerful position in world affairs.
It sounds as though he has the same desire for personal power on the world stage as Blair. I was hoping for a change in attitude.
I for one think that it is time for the Uk to take a back-place in world affairs in order to repair our sadly diminished infrastucture, NHS and society values.
Also WHY do you NEVER question politicians on the costs of these desires to repair the World??? We never hear you question the financial costs of Iraq either. Is there a veto on these questions??
Quoth Mark: "Recall the face of the richest and strongest person you may have seen and ask yourself if he feels unsafe and frightened, is anyone else safe either?"
Rich, powerful people always feel insecure; it comes from having so much to lose. What is remarkable is their tendency to believe that the cost of their efforts to secure themselves should be met by the poorer and less powerful - a tendency that your comment illustrates beautifully. If you want a nice safe counting-house, you can pay for it yourself.
Gwenhwyfaer, my point was that whoever you are, wherever you are, you are not safe from terrorism. There isn't a nation, a city, a village no matter how remote which might not be struck. People from Bali Indonesia to Kenya made the mistake of thinking they were immune. So did the Prime minister of Pakistan and the government of Saudi Arabia. They learned otherwise the hard way just like the US did on 9-11-01 and Britain on 7-7-05. Now consider this, if there is another successful mass murder attack on the US, nobody anywhere will be safe, not just from Al Qaeda but from the US either. And take my word for it, the US is far far more dangerous when it is angry. History is littered with the countless corpses of those who thought otherwise.
Mark #20
We don't need you to tell us that the Americans couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks. The trouble is though it needs the rest of the world. It needs Britian it needs the E.U and most of all it needs the U.N.
Why? Because without them it is alone and a target, without them America is seen as it really is a hypercritcal cowardly bully who is happy to go along with the U.N when it suits and ignores it when it doesn't.
And so what are the ramifications of being the school bully? Well every so often someone sneaks up behind you and smacks you on the back of the head ie: 9/11.
Don't like it? Then be a part of the U.N and be part of the solution our approval to legitimize your acts and clean up your mess isn't free.
Disagree with me? Then ask yourself why you are here posting on a UK license payers website, if you don't care what we think.
#18
Is it ...... Ed Balls??!
If it is, congratulations and welcome to the real world.